Bigert & Bergström, Solar Egg, 12 October 2018 – 13 January 2019
→ Sauna booking here (open link in Chrome/Firefox)
This fall, a five meter tall golden egg with a sauna inside lands in the middle of Kunsthal Charlottenborg’s courtyard. The golden egg titled Solar Egg is a sculpture created by the Swedish art duo Bigert & Bergström (b. 1965 and 1962) for Riksbyggen.
Solar Egg is a social sculpture, where both locals and visitors to Copenhagen can meet. In the Nordic countries, the sauna holds a key position as a space for warmth and reflection. Picking up on this tradition, Bigert & Bergström have developed a symbolic sculpture intended as space for conversations and the exchange of ideas. The project reflects the artists’ overall strategy of incorporating the climate in our experience of their art; a recurring trait of their work since they created a series of climate chambers back in 1994.
Solar Egg is made of wood and covered in a stainless golden mirror surface whose many facets reflect its surroundings. In the centre of the egg is a wood-fired, heart-shaped sauna stove made of iron and stone. The temperature inside the sculpture is between 75° and 85°C. Visitors will be able to book sauna appointments three days a week during the exhibition period.
Bigert & Bergström originally designed the Solar Egg for the Swedish housing developer Riksbyggen to stand as a symbol of new beginnings in the town of Kiruna. The city is currently undergoing a radical transformation, which involves a gigantic move for the whole village. The art piece and sauna was created in response to a commission from Riksbyggen developing parts of the new housing in Kiruna.
The exhibition is supported by the Obel Family Foundation and the Danish Arts Foundation.
Practical information for sauna appointments
→ Sauna booking here (open link in Chrome/Firefox)
It is possible to book a slot for Solar Egg on Wednesdays 5–8pm (free), and Saturdays and Sundays 2–5pm (regular admission to Kunsthal Charlottenborg 90DKK+fee). Upon arrival it is possible to rent a towel, slippers and a kimono for 30 DKK. You can change your clothes, take a bath, and lock up personal belongings as well.
Talk (free admission)
Friday 12 October 5pm-6pm
Just before the opening the artists Mats Bigert & Lars Bergström will introduce the sculpture in a conversation moderated by the director of Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Michael Thouber. Join the talk and hear about their collaboration, how they research and develop their projects, which includes large scale sculptures, installations, public art works, performance and film – and often combined.
Hashtag to the exhibition: #solaregg #bigertbergström #kunsthalcharlottenborg
